Sing
Sing Love One Another or I Am a Child of God. Pick the one that feels happy tonight.
Madsen Family FHE - October 2026
Family of five
We Choose Peace – Thinking We Instead of Me
Theme: Thinking we instead of me
Lately it has been easy to focus on what is wrong — with each other, and with everything around us. Tonight we practice something better. We notice the good. We use kind words. We remember that five people who choose peace can make a happy home.
This lesson is for our whole family. Our family of five is the team.
About 5 minutes
Song
We start together
“If it isn't true, going to do some good, or spread a little love around, don't say it, do it, or think it.”
You are in control of what comes out of your own mouth.
Before a word leaves, we can ask: Is it true? Will it do some good? Does it spread a little love?
October 2026 general conference
Sunday afternoon
Build a bridge, not a wall
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf · “Christ-centered Unity”
President Uchtdorf taught that Jesus brings people together. The closer we come to Him, the closer we come to each other.
- Baptism is your covenant, and it also joins you to a big family of Saints. You are part of a “we.”
- Jesus takes down walls. He invites everyone to come to Him.
- The adversary wants us divided — arguing, taking sides, thinking only about me.
- What holds us together is love for Heavenly Father, love for each other, and keeping our promises to Jesus.
- In the Book of Mormon, fighting changed when Jesus came. People became one.
- At home, unity looks like kind words, helping, and caring about the whole family.
“Jesus Christ has the power to change us — you and me — purify us and unite us. The closer we come to Him, the closer we will come to each other.”
He also taught that when we build bridges instead of walls, our families feel more of God’s peace. At home, a bridge is a kind sentence.
October 2026 general conference
Sunday morning
Use the language of peacemakers
Elder Alfred Kyungu · “Using the Language of Peacemakers”
Elder Kyungu taught that President Oaks’s invitation to drop contention is a real way to follow Jesus. We can trade words that hurt for words that heal.
Put these away
- “You are useless.”
- “Just stop talking.”
- “What is wrong with you?”
Words like these weaken love and hurt relationships.
Say these instead
- “Thank you.”
- “I’m sorry.”
- “I forgive you.”
These words build trust and keep us close.
His words
“It is a spiritual exercise to identify the language and expressions we need to forgo and then replace them with words and phrases that bring peace wherever we are and at all times.”
“As the converted Lamanites buried the weapons of war for peace, we too can bury the language of contention for peace.”
“Rather than choosing words and language that escalate feelings of anger, disappointment and frustration, let us use words that encourage understanding and peace. We must choose language that strengthens confidence and preserves relationships.”
“Therefore, let us fill our heart with the true doctrine of Christ, which has the power to change our language and help us speak more as peacemakers today, tomorrow, and always.”
“Let us repent of the harsh language and expressions that have offended our friends, leaders, family members and colleagues. Let us pray for peaceful communication among us, regardless of the difference in our opinions. Let us use the language that uplifts, edifies, comforts and brings people together.”
Sunday morning, October 4, 2026. Peace starts with our hearts, our choices, and our mouths.
April 2026 general conference
The prophet’s invitation
Choose to be a peacemaker
President Dallin H. Oaks · “Alive in Christ”
This is the talk Elder Kyungu was pointing to. President Oaks asked us to follow Jesus by letting go of contention and by using the language and the ways of peacemakers.
- Jesus taught us to love God and to love the people around us, even the ones who oppose us.
- Loving someone does not mean giving up what we believe. We can stand for truth and still live peaceably.
- President Oaks told of a nurse who cared for a patient who was unkind to her. In a hard moment she felt Heavenly Father’s love for that man, and she saw him differently. That same change can happen in our home.
- Harsh and hurtful words push peace away. The world would change if followers of Jesus stopped using them.
- One person can be a peacemaker: help two people make up, choose a kind act, or help others understand each other.
- President Russell M. Nelson asked us to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.
- In our family, and in every other close relationship, we avoid what is harsh and hateful.
“As followers of Christ, let us follow Him by forgoing contention and by using the language and methods of peacemakers.”
We try to be holy, like the Savior. Peace in this house starts with that choice.
DiscussionQuestion 1 of 6
What is peace?
Talk about it: Where do you feel peace in our house? What does a peaceful voice sound like?
DiscussionQuestion 2 of 6
What is contention?
Talk about it: What does arguing feel like in your body? What is one thing we can do when contention starts?
DiscussionQuestion 3 of 6
Why do we watch conference and why do we go to church?
Talk about it: What did you hear this weekend that helps our family? Who do we become when we keep showing up?
DiscussionQuestion 4 of 6
What is the purpose of life?
Talk about it: If life is about becoming like Jesus and loving one another, how does that change a regular Tuesday?
DiscussionQuestion 5 of 6
We have an easy life: car, gas, electricity, food, house, safety, a pool, toys, eat out, library. What is really important in life? What is necessary vs what is a convenience?
Tap each word to sort it. There is no single right list. Then talk about what we could live without, and what we truly need — including each other.
Not sorted yet
Necessary
A convenience
DiscussionQuestion 6 of 6
When you care more about yourself than others
Self-centeredness is the “me first” habit. Tap each card to flip it from me to we.
When we care more about ourselves than about others, someone in the family feels small. When we choose we, all five of us have room.
Team practicePick one
Work as a we
Pick one quick activity. Five minutes is enough. The win is staying on the same team.
Puzzle
One puzzle, all hands. Pass pieces to each other. Nobody finishes it alone.
Building project
Build a bridge with blocks, books, or pillows. It has to hold a small toy. Name the bridge “our family.”
Cooperative game
Keep a balloon or a pair of socks in the air. If it falls, you start again together. The family wins only as a team.
Kindness catch
0
When you hear a kind word, praise it out loud: “I caught you choosing peace!” Then tap the star.
Close together
Our promise this week
1 A short prayer
Thank Heavenly Father for our family. Ask for help to keep kind words in our mouths this week.
2 One sentence each
Every person says a kind phrase they will use. Five people. Five promises. That is our whole team.
We choose peace.
If it is not true, not going to do some good, or not spreading a little love, we do not say it, do it, or think it.
We think we, not only me. Our family of five is the team.